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      10. RASHI METHOD: SYMBOLISM
      BRIEF EXPLANATION: Rashi provides symbolic interpretations of words, verses, and chapters. Rashi can symbolically interpret either
      • (10a) entire Biblical chapters such as the gifts of the princes, Nu-07
      • (10b) individual items, verses and words
      The rules governing symbolism and symbolic interpretation are presented in detail on my website.

      This examples applies to Rashis Nu07-19b:f Nu07-20a:c
      URL Reference: (c) http://www.Rashiyomi.com/rule1415.htm
      Brief Summary: The prince gifts for the consecration of the Temple symbolized human history

Very often a symbolic interpretation will use a single motif to explain a variety of items and procedures. In the example below we symbolically interpret the prince gifts presented when the Temple was consecrated. The single motif used is the important events in human history leading up to the giving of the Torah. This motif is used to symbolically interpret the prince gifts, brought at the consecration of the Temple. These gifts as a whole symbolize the progression of important events in human history leading to the giving of the Torah. The Table below gives details.

Rashi Item Symbolizes Symbolic association Is association strong?
Nu07-19b 1 Silver Bowl Adam One father of human race No
Nu07-19c Weight of 130 Age Adam began producing Numerical association Yes
Nu07-19d 1 Bowl Noah 1 Ark No
Nu07-19e weight 70 70 nations 70 grandchildren of Noah Yes - numerical
Nu07-20a 1 scoop 1 Torah No
Nu07-20b weight of 10 golden 10 commandments Numerical association Strong
Nu07-20c Incense Sweet offerings and sweet laws Weak

Advanced Rashi: We have not reviewed all the prince gifts. Also at times we have deviated from Rashi's associations which use numerical values of letters (There is nothing wrong with this in a symbolic context but we preferred to give the strongest associations). As the table shows there is a natural historical sequence from the beginning of human history, Adam, till the reception of the Torah. Some of the numerical associations are quite strong based on numerical identity. The other associations can then be justified in context because they fill in the gaps in the missing sequence.


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